Only Her Smokejumper Firefighter - Cami Checketts Page 0,26
canyon road and when James grabbed her. Was it possible she also believed that she and Ren were meant to be together? He could hope, and he could pray.
He did both while he sat on the couch and cradled her against his chest. Leaning his head back against the cushion, he pushed the button to raise his legs and felt more comfortable and content than he could remember. His life was dangerous and fast-paced, never a dull moment. Holding Mavyn in his arms while she slept shouldn’t have been more exciting than dropping into a hot spot, but for him it definitely was.
Chapter Six
Mavyn was so warm and comfortable that she didn’t fight very hard to rise out of sleep. When she finally did open her eyes, the afternoon shadows were playing against the kitchen cabinets and Ren was snoring softly. His arms were still around her and there was no more perfect position to be in.
She didn’t want to move, but she really needed to use the restroom.
A loud rap sounded at the door.
Ren startled and stared at her. “Hey, love,” he said softly. “It wasn’t all a dream.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m still here.”
He matched her smile as the knocking came again. “Excuse me,” he murmured.
Mavyn scurried off his lap and hurried to the guest bathroom. As she washed her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was flat and fuzzy and her face devoid of any makeup. She didn’t typically wear much makeup—her dark skin was naturally smooth—but she liked to use eyeliner and mascara to define her green eyes. Iris’s clothes were too big for her. What on earth did Ren see in her? She tried to fluff her hair and found some Aquaphor that she smoothed onto her lips to give them some shine. She should be mortified that she looked so awful, but the way Ren gazed at her made her feel beautiful and desirable.
She exited the bathroom and Ren stood close by with her suitcase. “The tow truck brought the Tahoe back. It’s fine.”
“Oh, good. Do you mind if I go change into my own clothes?”
“Not at all.” He hefted the suitcase and walked to her, gesturing toward the stairs. Mavyn led the way and he followed her into the bedroom she’d stayed in last night. Setting the suitcase down, he said, “I’ll just be downstairs.”
“Thanks, Ren.”
“Of course.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “You won’t run again, will you, Mave?”
She shook her head, the moment going slow between them. “I’m done running.”
His face lit up and the joy written in his eyes reflected inside of her. She was done running—from Ren, from God. It was time to own up to her past mistakes. Maybe if God was as merciful as Cora always said He was, she could forget the pain of losing her baby and her pastor’s words. Maybe someday she could find peace, joy, and love … with Ren.
Ren crossed the distance, wrapped her up in his arms, and kissed her thoroughly. Mavyn met him kiss for kiss. When they finally pulled apart, her hair probably looked worse than ever, but at least her lips were full and plump from all that fabulous kissing.
“I’ll be right down,” she murmured.
Ren nodded, serious. He exited the room and she hurried to change into a long sundress and sweater. She put some socks on with it, which probably looked odd, but her apparel was not up to snuff for Montana and she wanted to stay warm.
She hurried into the bathroom and put on some eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. Getting her curls damp, she scrunched them with a little glaze then spritzed herself with Coconut Colada body splash. It wasn’t the right smell for Christmas, but in her defense, she’d been planning on spending Christmas in Mexico, lounging on the beach, and writing several articles about different Puerto Vallarta adventures and the incredible new Vidanta resort.
She hurried out of the bathroom and downstairs to Ren. Everything felt so new and exciting with him. It was crazy that this morning she’d run from him again, but the Lord hadn’t let her go. She’d finally broken down and prayed and the Lord had sent Ren to rescue her from James and from the cold.
She was completely certain what terms she and the heavens were on, but she was done fighting her attraction and the love she felt for Ren. The fear of telling him her sordid past was still in